Causes of scabies -

• Scabies is caused by a tiny, eight-legged mite- The female mite burrows just under the skin and makes a tunnel where it lays eggs.
• Mite larvae- The eggs hatch, and the mite larvae travel to the surface of the skin, where they mature. These mites can then spread to other areas of the skin or to the skin of other people. Itching is caused by the body's allergic reaction to the mites, their eggs and their waste.
• Skin to skin contact - Close skin-to-skin contact and, less often, sharing clothing or bedding with a person who has scabies can spread the mites. 
• Scabies mites that affect animals - Coming in contact with an animal that has scabies may cause brief itching if the mite gets under the skin.

Prevention - 

Scabies is a highly contagious skin condition caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. The best way to prevent scabies is to avoid close contact with infected individuals and their personal belongings.

Here are some specific measures you can take to prevent scabies:

• Avoid close contact: Avoid close contact with individuals who have scabies. This includes skin-to-skin contact, sharing clothes, bedding, and towels and other infected things. 
• Maintain personal hygiene: Maintain good personal hygiene by taking regular showers and keeping your skin clean.
• Wash clothes and bedding: Wash clothes, bedding, and towels in hot water to disinfect them and dry them on high heat. This helps to kill any mites that may be present.
• Avoid sharing personal items: Do not share personal items like combs, brushes, and hats with other people to avoid spreading germs. 
• Treat pets: If you have pets, make sure to treat them for mites to avoid transmitting the condition to humans.

Symptoms and types -

Scabies is a contagious skin condition caused by the microscopic mite Sarcoptes scabiei. The mites burrow into the top layer of skin, where they lay eggs and cause an itchy rash. The symptoms of scabies can vary from person to person, but typically include:

• Intense itching, especially at night: The itching is often the first sign of scabies and can be severe.
• Pimple-like rash: Scabies causes a rash made up of small red bumps and blisters that are usually found in folds of skin such as the armpits, between the fingers, and around the waist.
• Thin, irregular burrow tracks: These tracks are made by the mites as they burrow into the skin and can appear as thin, wavy, or zigzag lines.
• Sores: Scratching the itchy rash can cause sores, which can become infected.

Types of scabies - 

Scabies can be divided into several types, depending on the location and severity of the infestation:

• Classic scabies: The most common form of scabies, which usually involves widespread itching and rash.
• Crusted (Norwegian) scabies: A severe and highly contagious form of scabies that can affect people with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS or cancer.
• Nodular scabies: A rare form of scabies in which the mites cause hard, raised nodules on the skin.

Stages - 

Scabies is a contagious skin disease caused by a mite called Sarcoptes scabiei. The stages of scabies disease are as follows:

Infestation: This is the first stage of scabies disease. The female mite burrows into the skin, where she lays her eggs. The mite infestation causes intense itching, which is often worse at night.

Early rash: After a few days, an itchy rash appears on the skin. The rash consists of small red bumps and blisters, which may be accompanied by intense itching.

Full-blown rash: Over the next few weeks, the rash becomes more widespread and severe. It may also become crusted or scaly, especially in older adults and people with weakened immune systems.

Secondary infections: Scratching the itchy rash can cause breaks in the skin, which can lead to bacterial infections such as impetigo. These infections can make the rash even more severe and difficult to treat.

Resolution: With appropriate treatment, scabies can be cured. However, the itching and rash may take several weeks to completely disappear, even after the mites have been killed.

Complications-

The disease is characterized by intense itching and a rash. If left untreated, scabies leads to several complications like- 

• Secondary bacterial infections: Scratching the itchy skin can lead to open sores that can become infected with bacteria. This can lead to complications such as impetigo, cellulitis, and abscesses.
• Norwegian scabies: It is a severe form of scabies that may occur in people with weakened immune systems. It is characterized by thick, crusted skin that contains thousands of mites. This can be very difficult to treat and can lead to complications such as skin infections, sepsis, and even death.
• Post-scabies syndrome: It is a condition that can occur after scabies has been treated. It is characterized by persistent itching and skin lesions that can last for several weeks or even months. This is thought to be caused by an allergic reaction to the mites and their feces.
• Social stigma: Scabies is often associated with poor hygiene and can lead to social stigma and discrimination. This can have a significant impact on a person's mental health and quality of life.
• Transmission to others: Scabies is highly contagious and can easily spread from person to person through close physical contact. This can lead to outbreaks in institutions such as nursing homes, hospitals, and prisons.